Another week in different places. Mike and Eliza continued helping out at Papa O.'s, and Hallie continued exploring the Treasure State. We have more animal pictures than people ones this week.
Here is one of Kai reluctant to get out of bed on Monday morning. But he and Hallie made it to Starbucks.
Mike met or spied several different rabbits on his morning walks. They never let him get very close.
On Monday, he took pictures of houses that still look on the outside the way his house growing up looked.
After the Northridge quake in '94, his parents did some updating of the outside of their home, including bumping out the second story bedroom windows to enclose the balcony. They kept the deck but added two large rooms on the back (not pictured).
Hello, puppy pal!
Hallie sent Mike to ALDI to run an errand. Mike also ran errands for his dad. Lots of errands. Hopefully everything set up remains standing by the time he returns in September for the wedding of our nephew Haydn and his fiancée Abby.
AI thought this image represents Hallie. Sure, sort of.
Dad, Papa, and the girls have gone out to eat a few times in part to beat the summer heat and to keep the girls entertained.
AI thought these stickers were a good representation of the amazing picture above. At a minimum, the sticker girls seem happier.
Our neighbor Myriam came over to help Mike and his dad sort through the dining room/library and get to a leather chair Papa wants to reupholster. Mike found several images from his grandparents that have likely not been moved in over a decade.
He also found some studio portraits of kids who have long since become surly middle-aged people.
We were cute, once upon a time. Mike still remembers how painful these sessions were and just having to literally grin and bear through them.
Aww! Lucy and Bailey. This picture really makes Bailey resemble Fergus.
There are many items scattered throughout the house and still in use from (possibly) before Mike was born, such as this potholder.
Later in the week, he found baby photos his mom had developed from negatives. Mike's parents seem to have been smitten with their first born.
Mike thought Eliza was keeping the door to the living room open, but no. Mollie is the culprit!
Mike saw another few coneys later in the week.
Hallie saw that Fergus is back up to his old hunting tricks. Apparently he caught and killed and noshed on a local pigeon. Apparently the aftermath was enough to cause the landscaper who cleaned it up to gag. Fergus is back to bringing up presents. We hope not many more like this.
Mike and Papa and the girls got flowers to bring to Grandma and Alison's graves.
Later, the girls cooled down at 7-Eleven. Eliza has enjoyed getting out and exploring even with the heat.
Here is Fish. Fish is fat. Fish takes over Mollie's bed.
Poor Mollie puts up with lying down on the cool floor.
Yup, Fergus seems to be back to his old self again. Hallie is not letting him go out at night anymore after 8:30. He cries and complains, but too bad.
Hallie got out to avoid feeling too lonely. She enjoyed some local Cafe Rio.
One of Mike's Discord heraldry friends made him this cozy PFP image with a unique orientation of the bees.
Hallie appreciates a good cuppa joe. Jakey made this Caramel Macchiato look picture perfect! Thanks Jakey!
In anticipation of Haydn and Abby's wedding, the girls endured some dress shopping. We did not buy anything, and the girls will likely just go with outfits they already own or Hallie steps in to help a bit when Eliza get back home or when we head to Utah in just under two weeks!
Hallie has a new bedmate. Mike's not too keen on the idea of doggy drool on his pillow. It's good thing Mike's pillow wasn't there. That would be too much for Hallie too.
After his beauty sleep, Kai made friends with another local dog out on a walk. This dog was rescued from a shelter up near Polson. Louie the dog and his siblings were left on the side of the road on rez land.
On Mike's walk, he got a picture of
White Face, a well-known local landform.
He and his dad (OK, mostly he) spent a lot of time digging through bills to make sure they were getting paid. In the late afternoon, the boys went to Papa's hairstylist to get their ears lowered. Papa also got a beard trim. Less
Gabby Hayes, more rugged goatee.
Speaking of rugged seniors, look at this guy. He wants out. Hallie is standing firm saying no.
Mike went on a longer-than-intended walk on Thursday, but he learned about a trail he returned to on Friday. Here's another view of White Face from the trail.
Hallie does let Fergus out during the day, which he appreciates. Helps keep the cat box cleaner longer too.
Here is the view from the road that leads to the dog groomer. Hallie took Kai up to Elmo near Flathead Lake for a doggie haircut. Usually this area has stunning views. But as you know the fires sure are making things smoky.
While Kai was getting his trim, Hallie explored the local shops. We talk a lot about kindness in our house and this quote resonated with Hallie.
Doesn't he look so handsome?! Beverly the dog groomer recommended to us by Mike's coworker did a great job. Kai looks like a million dollars as we prepare to have our final days with him. He endured a 3 hour trip home, due to road construction. Kai was patient and Priscilla kept Hallie company for a good chunk of the waiting.
Saturday evening there was a Luke Bryant and Jason Aldean concert at the university. Here she is mere blocks from home in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Tired boys got to stay in while the concert-goers partied. It is nice to go outside and here the music if we want and once inside we no longer hear the music.
Mike and Eliza got some together time at
MoneyKey Ramen. We appreciated having a chance to taste some fresh Japanese flavors.
Hallie got to cozy up to the local doe. Fortunately, despite the smokey skies, the weather in Missoula started to cool somewhat on Sunday. It cooled down enough on Sunday that Hallie opened the windows and doors to let in the breezed. Thank you Mother Nature.
Yeah, Ferg's back to his old self.
He even joined Hallie (a first!) as she and Kai walked around the Curry.
He went and got himself (kind of) stuck in the tree behind the house, but after some crying for help, Hallie nudged him out.
Aww. Kai and his lion. Sooo adorable!
The girls went to the movies and got frozen yogurt Sunday afternoon. Simi weather has cooled some finally too.
